Connections · Hints and answers

Connections #1,177 hints and answers for Monday, August 31, 2026

Edited by Wyna Liu · Groups listed easiest to hardest: yellow, green, blue, purple

Connections #1,177 puts four groups of four on the board, running from the yellow group through to purple. For each group below: read the hint first, then show the category name when you want it, then the four words.

Group 1 - Yellow

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

THINGS THAT COME IN TUBES

LIPSTICK · POSTER · TENNIS BALLS · TOOTHPASTE

Group 2 - Green

Hint: Watch the longer entries: at least one of these four is a multi-word phrase, which usually points at the shape of the category.

WARNINGS ON A SHIPPING BOX

FRAGILE · HEAVY · PERISHABLE · THIS SIDE UP

Group 3 - Blue

Hint: One thread ties these four together. It is a fair link, not a trick - think about what the words can all be or do.

HISTORICAL SOVEREIGN TITLES

CALIPH · KHAN · PHARAOH · SHOGUN

Group 4 - Purple

Hint: The category name leaves a blank - each of these four words fills it to make a familiar phrase.

___ BOWL

DUST · POKE · SALAD · SUPER

Next on the board

Strands →

Theme clue: "With a little elbow grease"